Your United States GP travel guide with Thomas Cook Sport

The city of Austin has hosted the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas since 2012, and this race has established itself as one of the most popular on the calendar. The Texan city has a vibrant downtown, famed for its abundance of live music, and combined with beautiful parks and scenic greenbelt it's no surprise Austin is one of the best places to live in the US.

With an average of 230 days of sunshine a year, it is also the perfect place to get on your bike and explore. Several bike tours are run around the city and this will give you the chance to get your bearings on the trip.

The Texas State Capitol building is an obvious choice for a more detailed look. The Italian Renaissance Revival structure is the third building to serve this purpose on this site - the current incarnation was completed in 1888. Austin's Capitol building is taller than the United States Capitol building in Washington DC and is home to an interior dome, grand staircase and both the Texas Senate Chamber and the House of Representatives. Don't forget some binoculars to check out the Goddess of Liberty statue, which sits on the top of the building.

Texas has been at the heart of the US story for the past 250 years and you can take a journey through that tale at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. It covers everything, from the reconstructed hull of the 17th century Le Belle shipwreck or the historic Alamo, through to military aircraft and the space race, so give yourself plenty of time to soak in what the museum has to offer.

Austin is also home to some of America's favourite craft beer breweries, so why not take a tour around Hops and Grain Brewing, Blue Owl Brewing or Zilker Brewery? Once you have sampled the local brew it's only fitting to head off into the city's downtown to immerse yourself in its rich live music scene. Most bars play host to bands at least a few nights a week so it won't be long before you're in the full swing of an authentic Texan night on the town.

The University of Texas is home to one of the most historic college football teams in America, the Texas Longhorns. Nearly 100,000 fans congregate for games. If this is your thing settle in for an afternoon of high-class sport as the college students of today vie to be the NFL stars of tomorrow.

If you want to escape the city then visit Barton Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River, which runs through the scenic countryside just outside Austin. Join the locals as they gear up to kayak for a day of relaxation or adventure.

Alternatively, Lady Bird Lake is perfect for a hike or an afternoon on the bike. Since it was created in 1960 as a flood defence, the reservoir has become a hub of recreational activities in the city. There are trails running around the whole shoreline and an abundance of paddleboats and kayaks are also available for hire here so you can hit the water.

Fast facts

Flight time: 10hrs 40mins (London to Austin)
Currency: US dollar
Time zone: GMT-6
Average temperature: 22C

Ask the expert: The Thomas Cook Sport rep's view

What's your favourite part of the track?

The double chicane of Turns 3, 4 and 5 is incredible. To see 20 F1 cars fly through this complex at full speed is an amazing sight.

What's the best thing to do away from the track itself?

I would recommend gearing up for a Texan Saturday night on the town. There's always a lot of live music and loads of bars and restaurants to explore.

If your guests are celebrating, how could they make their experience more amazing?

There are some great restaurants in Austin. Jeffrey's and Wink are some of the city's finest, and Lenoir in the south of the city can make for a special occasion.

Any local food or drink to recommend? There is a fantastic craft beer movement in Austin and there's a few big breweries that supply the city. Some of these breweries also have their own taprooms, so there are incredible arrays of ales to suit all preferences.

Your top tip for this race and destination?

Austin has a reputation for being one of the best US cities to live in, so my advice would be to immerse yourself - try to live like the locals and do as they do.

Thomas Cook Sport Break Details

2019 US Grand Prix package available here

4-night hotel break & ticket only, £1099pp

Your booking includes:
4 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
Weekend general admission ticket
Return race day circuit transfers
Access to the Imagine Dragons and Pink concerts
Service charges and taxes

For more info visit www.thomascooksport.com/motorsports
Or talk to an expert: 01733 224 573
@ThomasCookSport